BODIKELA JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL ARE THE COPA COCA-COLA FREESTATE CHAMPIONS

Bodikela Junior Secondary School from Bohlokeng in the Thabo Mofutsanyane Region became the Free State provincial champions after beating Nkgopolleng High School 2 – 1 in the final match that took place at the Clive Solomon Stadium in Bloemfontein on Saturday 30 June.

Bodikela has been competing in COPA Coca-Cola for eight years and this is the second time they have reached the provincial finals.  In 2005 the school was knocked out at the semifinal stage.

Coach, Mokoni Molefe, who has a South African Football Association (SAFA) Introductory Football Coaching Certificate, is proud of his team as this is the first time his school has reached the COPA Coca-Cola national finals.  This is also the first time his Under-15’s have competed in a tournament of this caliber.  “The team played with determination and dedication and we owe this to Premier Soccer League (PSL) Club, Free State Stars goalkeeper, Kennedy Mweene who came to the school to motivate the youngsters.”

The coach also brought in a school player from 2005, now with the National First Division Club, Karara Kicks, to assist.  “I asked Buti Motaung to come and help me at training during the build up to the provincial finals. Our youngsters look up to the local teams and listen to them as they are their role models.”

Another Bodikela success story is Mbongeni Dlamini(striker) who was with Bidvest Wits and now plays for African Warriors in the National First Division.

Midfielder, Teboho Mokoena, scored the winning goal that put Bodikela into the National Finals.  “We trained for two hours four times a week during the build up to the provincial finals, and this win shows me that it was all worth it.  I want to thank our Life Orientation teacher, Monica Myende, who worked on building our fitness which helped us maintain a high pace throughout the day.”

The last provincial final will take place on 7 July at the Thandanani Stadium in Matatiele in the Eastern Cape. The nine provincial champions will travel to Johannesburg to compete in the National Finals from 12 – 14 July.

Teams:

Pool A

Samuel Johnson High School from Xhariep Region

Concordia High School from Lejwaleputswa Region

Nkgopolleng High School from Fezile Dabi Region

Pool B

Tswelapele Ka Thuso High School from Xhariep Region

Bodikela Junior Secondary School from Thabo Mofutsanyane Region

HTS Louis Botha Technical School from Motheo Region

RESULTS

Samuel Johnson High School 0 vs Concordia High School 2

Tswelapele Ka Thuso High School 1 vs Bodikela Junior Secondary School 8

Samuel Johnson High School 1 vs Nkgopolleng High School 5

Tswelapele Ka Thuso High School 0 vs HTS Louis Botha Technical School 6

Concordia High School 1 vs Nkgopolleng High School 2

Bodikela Junior Secondary School 1 vs HTS Louis Botha Technical School 1

FINAL - Team that has most points in their pool qualifies for the finals.

Nkgopolleng High School 1 vs Bodikela Junior Secondary School 2